This paper provides an introductory survey of the human endocrine system, explaining how its eight major glands produce hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mood. It then examines three significant endocrine disorders: dwarfism, caused by genetic or medical conditions that limit growth; gigantism, resulting from excess growth hormone during childhood; and adrenal insufficiency, including Addison's disease and secondary adrenal deficiency. For each condition, the paper describes causes, symptoms, and the diagnostic tests physicians use to identify and evaluate the disorder.
The endocrine system comprises eight chief glands distributed throughout the body. These glands produce hormones — chemical messengers that move through the bloodstream to tissues or organs. Hormones work gradually and influence body processes from head to toe, including growth and development, metabolism (encompassing digestion, elimination, breathing, blood circulation, and maintaining body temperature), sexual function, reproduction, and mood. If hormone levels are too high or too low, a hormone disorder may result. Hormone disorders also occur when the body does not respond to hormones as it should. Stress, infection, and changes in the blood's fluid and electrolyte balance can also influence hormone levels (Endocrine Diseases, 2011).
The glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release affect nearly every cell, organ, and function of the body. The endocrine system plays an important role in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes. Overall, the endocrine system governs body processes that occur gradually, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. Even so, the nervous system and endocrine system, while distinct, frequently work together to help the body function properly (Endocrine System, 2011).
The foundational components of the endocrine system are its hormones and glands. As the body's chemical messengers, hormones transport information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Although many different hormones circulate through the bloodstream, each one affects only the cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its signal. Hormone levels can be influenced by factors such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in the blood (Endocrine System, 2011).
The main glands that make up the human endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and the reproductive glands — which include the ovaries and testes. The pancreas is also part of this hormone-secreting system, even though it is additionally associated with the digestive system because it produces and secretes digestive enzymes. Although the endocrine glands are the body's primary hormone producers, some non-endocrine organs — such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thymus, skin, and placenta — also produce and release hormones (Endocrine System, 2011).
The main human endocrine glands include:
One condition that can affect the endocrine system is dwarfism. Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a genetic or medical condition. It is generally defined as an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less, with the typical range among people with dwarfism falling between 2 feet 8 inches and 4 feet 8 inches. Treatments for most dwarfism-related conditions do not increase height but can reduce associated complications. Many people with dwarfism face discrimination; however, family support, social networks, support groups, and adaptive products allow most individuals to navigate educational, work, and social settings (Dwarfism, 2011).
A physician will evaluate several factors to assess a child's growth and determine whether a dwarfism-related disorder is present. For some evaluations, the doctor may refer the patient to specialists in bone irregularities, hormone dysfunction, or congenital conditions. Diagnostic tests often include:
"Excess growth hormone and its symptoms"
"Adrenal hormone deficiency causes and testing"
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